Healthy Teeth, Happy Pet (5 Easy Ways to Care for Your Pet's Teeth)

October 31, 2017, 1:26 pm

Mount Tabor Animal Hospital

Keep Your Pet Happy and Healthy

Helping your pet maintain good oral hygiene isn't just about getting rid of smelly breath (even though it’s a major perk). It’s also about the overall health of your pet. When dental disease is left unchecked you run the risk of bacteria entering your pet's bloodstream, and traveling to major organs, which could lead to major health problems. Maintaining good oral hygiene for your dog or cat is an extremely important, and often overlooked, aspect of being a responsible pet owner. In fact, at Mount Tabor Animal Hospital, we believe the issue is such an important one that we dedicate two months out of the year to focus on dental health, and offer dental services for pets at a discount (see below for more information). We want to make it simple and affordable for you to help take care of your pet’s teeth.

Here are some other helpful tips to follow:

5 Easy Ways to Care for Your Pet’s Teeth

1. Have the Right Tools

Arm yourself with pet-friendly toothpaste! Using veterinary and species-specific toothpaste is a MUST. Please don’t attempt to use toothpaste for humans on your pet. You can easily find animal-friendly flavors at most pet stores, or you can ask a Mount Tabor Animal Hospital veterinarian or vet tech what they would recommend. To start, give your pet a small taste of the toothpaste to introduce the flavor (yum, beef!), then use a soft toothbrush or rubber tip that fits on your index finger, to rub away plaque along the outside top and bottom gums for about a minute.

2. Get Comfortable

The most comfortable position for both of you will be to have your small dog or cat in your lap, with your pet's head facing away from you. Use your right hand to brush the left side of their mouth, and vice versa. For a larger dog, face them while they're sitting or standing. Afterward, make sure you give your dog or cat lots of extra playtime and petting!

3. Perfect Timing

You will want to brush your pet’s teeth when he or she is calm, relaxed, and being especially lazy. To keep the process drama-free, timing is everything.

4. Create a Routine

Frequency and consistency can be tough when it comes to cleaning your pet’s teeth. Many people ask how often they should brush their pet’s teeth: ideally, you’ll want to brush your pet’s teeth as often as you can. It’s a time commitment, and sometimes pets aren’t exactly cooperative, but your goal should be to work your way up to a routine of brushing daily, every other day, or weekly. Something is better than nothing!

5. Make Regular Dental Appointments

If you haven't been cleaning your pet’s teeth regularly, don’t worry. You’re not alone. A good place to start is by making an appointment for a dental exam with Mount Tabor Animal Hospital. Ideally, your pet should have annual dental exams where we inspect your pet’s teeth, gums, take x-rays if needed, and remove tartar and plaque. We can also pull any diseased teeth, and make it easy for you to start with a clean slate when you begin a more regular brushing routine for your pet.

Annual Dental Specials for Pets

Remember, our goal is to make it easy and affordable to help you take care of your pet’s oral hygiene. Every November and February we celebrate dental health at Mount Tabor Animal Hospital, so it’s a great time to schedule a dental appointment for your dog or cat and receive a great discount. Call our office for more details, and book your pet’s dental appointment!